Some international students at Cal State Long Beach were surprised to find out that they didn’t have access to the Student Recreation and Wellness Center.
Stefan Wegner, a student enrolled in CSULB’s University Study at the Beach (USB) program, said he and his colleagues haven’t been able to access the recreation center, despite paying almost $5,000 in tuition.
“We were told that as USB students we could not use [the recreation center] since we didn’t pay the corresponding fees,” Wegner said in an e-mail. “Now we are wondering if this is the way the university usually treats students from abroad.”
International students whose universities don’t have an exchange program with CSULB must enroll via the USB program. It is in its third year and is ran through the College of Continuing and Professional Education (CCPE). There are currently 82 USB students.
“Unlike most students enrolled at the university, students enrolled through this program do not pay the mandatory student fee which provides access to the Student Recreation and Wellness Center,” said Christina Esparza, ASI communications coordinator. “ASI is currently working to resolve this matter and provide these students the opportunity to purchase a membership at the [recreation center] directly.”
Those in the USB program aren’t even eligible to purchase membership to the recreation center.
“The [recreation center] is only open to admitted CSULB students,” said Kelly Martinez, international outreach assistant for the American Language Instituute. “As USB students are from an Open University program, they are not technically admitted into CSULB. … Currently, USB students can’t even pay the student fee to access the [recreation center].”
Martinez said that a request has been put in to the dean of the CCPE to discuss the matter with the recreation center’s director.
“We understand these students are unhappy and we strongly feel they should be included. As it is an issue with the dean of CCPE and the director of [the recreation center], we hope that only a positive outcome will occur within the next two weeks”, Martinez said.
Some USB students also said that they feel their status isn’t equal to that of their counterparts in the Center for International Education.
The education center offers exchange programs for international and Cal State University students.
“We arrived at CSULB thinking we would be treated just like any other international student … but this has not been the case,” said Magda Wegrzynek, a USB student from Germany.
Wegner said, though, that access to the recreation center would help USB students feel more equal.
“The recreational centre will be a step in the right direction to make us feel more welcome,” Wegner said.
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